In an era where traditional career paths are being redefined, the youth of Sabah are stepping confidently into the digital frontier. Once limited by geography, infrastructure, and access to global opportunities, young Sabahans are now leveraging social media platforms to not only express their creativity but to build sustainable careers—from content creation and e-commerce to digital marketing and freelancing.
This article explores how Sabah’s youth are using platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to build income streams, gain national and international exposure, promote culture and community, and inspire the next generation of digital workers.
The Social Media Ecosystem in Sabah
Sabah’s youth are not just consumers of online content—they are creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. They use a variety of platforms strategically:
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YouTube for vlogs, educational content, music, and long-form entertainment
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TikTok for short viral videos, dances, native storytelling, and trending formats
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Instagram for fashion, art, photography, lifestyle branding, and networking
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Facebook for marketplace selling, community engagement, and video streaming
Each platform offers different career opportunities, and Sabahans are learning to combine creativity with digital tools to build real-world success.
Popular Career Paths Through Social Media
1. Content Creators and Influencers
Many Sabah youth have become local celebrities and micro-influencers, earning income from:
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Sponsored posts and brand deals
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YouTube ad revenue
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Live stream gifts and donations
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Product placements and affiliate marketing
They create content around:
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Comedy and memes
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Travel and nature (Sabah’s landscapes are a huge draw)
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Lifestyle and daily routines
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Traditional dances, language, and food
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Motivational talks and youth issues
2. Online Entrepreneurs
Social media serves as a free marketing tool for small businesses. Many young Sabahans sell:
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Handmade crafts, beadwork, and clothing
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Borneo-themed merchandise
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Homemade food items
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Digital products like eBooks, art prints, or presets
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Thrifted and upcycled fashion
Using Instagram Shops and Facebook Marketplace, they reach customers across Malaysia and even internationally.
3. Digital Freelancers
Youth in Sabah are taking advantage of online skills training and freelancing platforms to work as:
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Graphic designers
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Video editors
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Social media managers
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Virtual assistants
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Content writers
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Translators (especially Dusun-Malay-English)
They advertise their portfolios on LinkedIn, Instagram, and local Facebook groups, landing gigs with clients in KL, Singapore, and beyond—all without leaving Sabah.
4. Musicians and Artists
Sabah has a rich musical and artistic tradition. Young talents are building careers as:
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Independent musicians uploading original songs to YouTube and Spotify
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Visual artists selling commissions via Instagram
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Dancers showcasing native choreography on TikTok
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Digital illustrators who create culturally inspired artwork
Some have been featured in Malaysian media, earned global followers, and built fanbases that support them through donations and product sales.
Real-Life Success Stories
Akmal from Kota Belud
Started as a TikToker making funny village-based skits. Now, he has over 500K followers and earns through local brand sponsorships and hosting live shows.
Lina, The Sabahan Baker
Turned her Instagram into a full-time cake business during the pandemic. She now teaches baking classes through Reels and YouTube and ships custom pastries statewide.
Team Sepuluh
A group of ten friends from Tawau launched a collaborative YouTube channel where they vlog rural life, perform sketches, and promote mental health awareness. Their consistent uploads earned them monetization and brand deals.
Fahmi the Freelancer
After teaching himself graphic design via YouTube tutorials, Fahmi now earns in USD working for international clients on Fiverr. He promotes his services using Instagram and LinkedIn.
Skills That Sabah Youth Are Mastering
To thrive online, young Sabahans are learning a wide set of skills:
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Video editing using apps like CapCut, Adobe Premiere, or VN Editor
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Photography and lighting to improve content quality
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Social media algorithms and trends to stay relevant
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Basic branding and marketing to grow audiences
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Customer service for online businesses
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Language fluency to engage diverse audiences
These skills are often self-taught or shared through peer networks and local digital workshops.
Challenges Faced by Sabah Youth in the Digital Career Space
Despite the growth of online opportunities, several barriers remain:
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Slow or unstable internet in rural areas
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Lack of digital literacy training in schools
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Limited access to professional tools or mentorship
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Cyberbullying and online harassment
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Lack of parental support due to unfamiliarity with digital careers
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Difficulty monetizing content due to platform restrictions or policies
Still, many persevere through creativity, community support, and passion.
Support Systems Emerging in Sabah
To empower youth, several initiatives are underway:
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Youth tech workshops hosted by NGOs and universities
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Mentorship from successful Sabahan creators
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Local businesses collaborating with micro-influencers
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State programs encouraging rural youth entrepreneurship
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Online learning platforms offering free courses in business, marketing, and design
More collaboration between government, private sector, and creators is needed to build a thriving digital economy in Sabah.
How Sabah Youth Are Redefining “Success”
In the past, success meant a government job or moving to KL. Today, success is:
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Earning from home while staying close to family
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Expressing identity and culture proudly
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Making global connections from a village hut
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Helping one’s community by hiring friends or sharing knowledge
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Advocating for social issues using personal influence
This new wave of youth is rooted in tradition but fluent in technology.
Conclusion
Sabah’s youth are proving that a smartphone, a dream, and a determination to learn are all it takes to build a digital career. They are not waiting for opportunities—they are creating them.
Whether selling homemade food on Facebook, teaching Dusun through TikTok, or running an e-commerce brand on Instagram, they are building careers with creativity, heart, and courage. As infrastructure improves and support grows, the world better be ready—because Sabah’s youth are coming online, and they’re here to lead.